The intense polar cold wave sweeping through much of the country left an unusual and striking image in the Iberá Wetlands in Corrientes. Capybaras “skating” on the frozen water.
The extreme temperatures in the region caused the freezing of water mirrors in the wetlands, and videos showing the animals went viral.
Capybaras “skating” on ice: an unusual phenomenon in the Iberá
They can be seen walking with difficulty and sliding on a thick layer of ice, an extremely rare phenomenon in that subtropical area.
The images were shared by a group of rural residents from the Galarza area, in the heart of the Wetlands, where the thermal sensation dropped below -5°C.
In the footage, you can see how the capybaras, surprised but adapting, move cautiously on the icy surfaces. The scene looks like it’s from another latitude.
Iberá Wetlands is one of the most important wetlands in South America and is characterized by its biodiversity and warm-temperate climate.
Therefore, the formation of ice in its lagoons and marshes is extremely atypical. This raises concern among researchers, conservationists, and residents due to its possible link to extreme climate variability phenomena.
Specialists warn that the most intense and prolonged cold waves may be related to the effects of climate change.
It alters the usual temperature and precipitation patterns in ecologically sensitive regions such as the wetlands of the Argentine Litoral.
“These events force us to rethink how wildlife ecosystems respond to conditions that are not typical of their natural environment,” said local environmental organizations.
Impact on fauna and the need for environmental monitoring
The behavior of capybaras on ice sparked curiosity but also raised questions. How do native species adapt or suffer from extreme weather conditions?
Although the animals showed no signs of stress in the videos, sustained cold can affect their access to water and food, especially if it lasts for several days.
In this context, environmentalists and scientists call for strengthening environmental monitoring in vulnerable areas such as the Iberá Wetlands.
There, abrupt climate changes can have direct consequences on ecosystems and local biodiversity.
Polar wave in Argentina: how long will the extreme cold last
The SMN estimates that the conditions will persist until midweek, with a probability of intense frosts during mornings and nights.
From Thursday or Friday, a slight rise in temperatures could be recorded, although the winter weather is expected to continue with new incursions of cold air in the coming days.
Experts explain that this polar wave is due to the advance of a mass of air of Antarctic origin, which caused a sudden drop in temperatures in much of the country.
